Early oil fields had storage tanks and company buildings close to the oil derricks, as shown in this photo of Bennehoff Run. The danger of this setup was demonstrated when lightning struck a pipe at Bennehoff in July 1866, igniting an adjacent tank. The tank exploded almost immediately, releasing burning oil down the run, and destroying as many as 30 derricks and adjacent tanks.

The Robert N. Dennis Collection of Stereoscopic Views (NYPG91-F314 050f) Courtesy of the New York Public Library